The Dose: Devastatingly Beautiful Beginnings.
Nasal vs throat swabs, gender and health and devastatingly beautiful beginnings
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The Serious Stuff
In this section, we share the most important pandemic and science updates.
😷 Don’t even try. First, while Omicron is potentially milder than previous variants, it can still cause symptoms such as high fever, body aches, sore throats and heavy congestion. Second, even getting a mild case of COVID-19 puts you at risk of long COVID, where symptoms such as shortness of breath, severe fatigue, dizziness, brain fog and others continue to persist after your initial condition improves. Third, we’re forgetting that children under 5 still can’t get vaccinated. Falling sick risks transmitting the disease to young children who are at risk of severe complications and hospitalization. Adapted from: http://bitly.ws/nCHZ. Read more
🧪 PCR vs rapid antigen tests. While both tests are used to detect the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, they are quite different in how they work. The PCR tests look for viral RNA, can detect lower amounts of virus, and are more flexible because they can be used for samples from both the nose and throat. Meanwhile, the antigen tests look for viral proteins, may not detect small amounts of virus, and are more restrictive because samples must collected as instructed (i.e nasal swabs only). If you tested negative with a rapid antigen test but are having symptoms or suspect you were exposed to the virus, it is recommended to get a follow-up PCR test. Read more
🤧 Flurona, a double whammy. Flurona is not a new mutant virus, but refers to getting COVID-19 and influenza at the same time. Also called a co-infection, scientists had warned us of a possible ‘twindemic’ last year given that both the seasonal flu and COVID-19 are spread through respiratory droplets. While a co-infection is more risky because your immune system is fighting two pathogens at the same time, we have vaccines that can help prevent us severe side effects, hospitalization and death. If you haven’t already, do book an appointment to get both your COVID-19 and flu shots ASAP. Read more
The Beautiful Stuff
In this section, we share pieces at the intersection of science and art that have us obsessed.
🎨 Let’s talk gender and health. Ever wanted to find out more about periods, contraception or gynaecology visits? Meet Melinda and Uma, the duo behind Let’s Sync Health. What initially started as a women’s health account eventually grew into a safe and open community on all things gender and health. Science communications is as much about the human experience as it is about the technical details- and the team exudes a calm, nurturing presence that permeates all their infographics. They are the older sisters we never knew we needed.
☁️ Delicately interspersed throughout their infographics is a unique brand of kindness, authenticity and openness. We enjoyed this series of personal stories that navigated the interplay between health and cultural norms, the taboo that cloaks the word ‘sex’ in some households, and tensions that might arise at home when contraception is concerned.
🩺 Sexual health and pleasure are openly discussed. In this post, Let’s Sync Health discusses vaginusmus, a lesser known condition involving the involuntary contraction of the muscles around one’s vaginal opening during attempted intercourse. In sharing a team member’s personal journey through her diagnosis, treatment and navigating intimacy once again, this account offers much-needed support to those experiencing similar circumstances.
🩸What’s your blood type? Why are O- blood types universal donors and AB+ blood types universal receivers? It turns out that our blood types are determined by the kind of proteins present on the surface of our red blood cells. Figure out blood type compatibility at a glance with this beautifully simple cheat sheet.
🌍 Squishing or stretching maps. Why is it that the earth has a curved 3-dimensional surface, but our maps are flat and 2-dimensional? Cartographers use a technique called map projection to flatten our globe’s surface into a plane, making them compact and convenient for use. Play around with four different map projections to detect how each has its own area and angular distortions. Try it here
👀 The weirdest eyes. How do other animals see the world differently from us? This was an engagingly fun read. We loved learning about the cuttlefish, which had ‘W’-shaped pupils that enhance its vision in spaces with uneven fields of light. Did you also know that unlike our human ability for trichromatic vision, birds have one-upped us by having tetrachromatic vision? They even have a special protein in their eyes that enables them to see magnetic fields- the secret to their prowess as navigators. Read more
🌋 Devastatingly beautiful beginnings. What’s left behind after the sizzling destruction of a volcanic eruption? Beyond mere devastation, eruptions also plant new seeds of life. Unbeknownst to most of us, volcanoes are responsible for creating 80% of all rock on Earth today- both below and above the ocean. Perhaps the most vibrant of lifeforms have been captured at the microscopic level: the colonization of lava’s molten surface as it cools- giving rise to hues of golden-colored bacteria colonies. Check out how volcanic eruptions help nourish the world.
📸 And finally, an adorable illustration to end your week with.
The Personal Stuff
❤️ The Intern Corner
This week, we asked our team the question, “What are three things you are most excited about this year and why?”
Ilze Abersone: “(1) Get back on a snowboard after a 6-year pause, (2) visit one of my bucket list destinations (ofc depending on the pandemic situation) (3) start a French class to brush up on my very rusty skills.”
Kelly Burke: “(1) finishing my masters, (2) a summer without teaching summer school or taking classes, (3) a trip to Aruba (COVID permitting).”
Maria Victoria Dreher: “(1) decide my thesis topic and work on it, (2) finally go to Barcelona which was my graduation gift from my brother almost a year ago (Covid permitting), 3) seeing my family after 2+ years (especially my grandma
He Shiying: “(1) I am looking forward to working on my honours thesis on the effectiveness of COVAX in attaining vaccine equity), (2) learning how to alter and make my own clothes and (3) graduating from college this year 🙆♀️”
What are three things you are most excited about this year and why? Hit reply and let us know!
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